Combined cutting and loading machine for mines



M. S. MOORE March 10, 1936.

COMBINED CUTTING AND LOADING MACHINE FOR MINES Patented Mar. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIVIBINED CUTTING AND LOADING MACHINE FOR MINES ish company Application July 30, 1935, Serial No. 33,886 In Great Britain August 15, 1934 6 Claims.

My present invention relates to an improved structure of combined cutting and loading machine, which is particularly adapted for use in mines where the coal or other material to be mined is very friable and advantages would accrue from the possibility of proceeding simultaneously with cutting and loading, it being either unnecessary or undesirable to break the material down by shooting.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple and convenient machine, whereby under these conditions, simultaneously cutting and loading is made possible, a further object being so to arrange such machine that the cutting and loading means will not interfere with its freedom of movement when it is to be fitted between the props.

With these objects in View, the machine according to my invention comprises a loading device and a cutter member both pivotally mounted, said cutter member being adapted to be accommodated in the machine when in inoperative position. The machine casing is slightly raised above the base plate so as to provide therebetween an elongated space for accommodating the cutter member. The machine casing is supported on the base plate at both ends, 1. e. beyond the gear head and atthe haulage end, where it is conveniently secured to the base plate by means of a bolted support. The free space under the casing may be open on both sides to enable the cutter member which may be a chain or a bar, to be swung to one or the other side of the machine as required; or said space may be closed along the goaf side, for example, by a removable piece, in order to strengthen the structure. A cable attached to the chain jib or the bar, and wound round a pulley attached to the jib bracket, afiords a convenient means for swinging the cutter member.

In the accompanying drawing which diagrammatically illustrates by way of example a combined cutting and loading machine embodying my present invention:

Fig. 1 shows the machine in side elevation,

Fig. 2 being a corresponding plan view,

Fig. 3 is a plan view on a smaller scale i1- lustrating the machine in q'operation; Fig. 4 likewise shows the machine in position for flitting.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the base plate on which the machine casing 2 is supported at the haulage end by a bolted support 3 and at the gear head end by a case 4 housing gears for driving the loader device 5. Between the base plate I and casing 2 is a free space 6 adapted to receive the cutter member I which may be of the chain type as shown, or of the bar type. The chain jib is pivoted to the gear head 8 and the space 6 is open at both sides so that the jib may be swung from the position I to either side of the machine, as required. For this purpose I may conveniently use a cable 9 attached to a pin Ill on the chain jib, passing round a pulley II and secured to the haulage gear [2 from which it is operated. The loading device 5 is pivoted on the base plate at l3 and is herein shown to comprise a belt conveyor I4 and two loader bars l5 so that it is ready for use at will on either side of the machine.

In order to enable the cutter member I to be swung to either side of the machine, as may be required, the space 6 may be open on both sides. It may be advantageous, however, to close it on the goaf side in order to strengthen the structure and to provide a wall against which pressure may be exerted to keep the machine in the work, should there be any tendency for it to leave the face. In Fig. 2 I have shown a channel iron l'l secured at one end by a bolt l8 and at its other end by a pin and slot connection 19.

In operation, the cutter member 1 projects from the machine at or about right angles thereto and substantially parallel with the loading device. advanced in a direction parallel to the coal face with the cutter member cutting its way through the friable coal and the loading device following through the cut, removing the coal as it breaks down, and delivering it onto an endless belt or a shaker conveyor as diagrammatically shown at l6.

When loading is completed, the cutter member is swung under the machine casing 2, while the loading device is swung into alignment with the casing (Fig. 4). The total width of the machine then does not exceed that of the casing and the structure can be flitted down the face to start the following cut or lift.

I claim:

1. In a combined cutting and loading machine for mines, a machine frame, a loading device and a cutter member both pivoted to said frame, said cutter member being accommodated in said frame when in inoperative position.

As shown in Fig. 3, the machine is I 2. In a combined cutting and loading machine for mines, a base plate, a casing on said plate, a cutter member pivoted on said plate, said casing being raised above said base plate to provide therebetween an elongated space for accommodating said cutter member, and a loader device also pivoted on said plate.

3. In a combined cutting and loading machine for mines, a base plate, a loader device and a cutter member both pivoted with respect to said plate, a casing supported on said plate at both ends, the free space under said casing being open on both sides and adapted to accommodate said cutter member when in inoperative position.

4. In a combined cutting and loading machine for mines, a base plate, a loader device and a cutter member each mounted for pivotal movement through 180 on said plate, a casing supported on said plate at both ends, the free space under said casing being adapted to accommodate said cutter member.

5. In a combined cutting and loading machine for mines, a base plate, a loader device and a cutter member both mounted for pivotal movement on said plate, a casing supported on said plate at both ends, the free space under said casing being adapted to accommodate said cut-- ter member, and means for closing said space on one side.

6. In a combined cutting and loading machine for mines, a base plate, a loading device and a cutter member both pivoted on said plate, said loading device comprising an endless conveyor arranged between two parallel loader bars, and a casing supported on said plate at both ends, the free space under said casing being adapted to accommodate said cutter member when in inoperative position.

MATTHEW SMITH MOORE. 

